BALTIMORE, Md., Nov. 6, 2014 – In recognition of her immense talent and passion for connecting businesspeople within the commercial real estate vertical, CREW-Baltimore named KBE Building Corp.’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Business Development Manager Kristen Schrader a finalist for its inaugural Member to Member Business Award.
CREW-Baltimore is the local chapter of CREW Network, the premier business networking organization dedicated to advancing the achievements of women in commercial real estate. The inaugural Beacon Awards ceremony was held on Nov. 6 at Tabrizi’s Restaurant in Baltimore.
“Since joining CREW-Baltimore, I’ve been amazed by the talent and commitment exhibited by this group of women,” said Schrader. “It’s been my honor and pleasure to help these ladies form connections that will contribute to their personal and professional success.”
Schrader’s role in KBE’s Mid-Atlantic success
Schrader’s skills have benefited not only CREW-Baltimore, but also KBE: since joining the $300 million commercial construction management firm in fall 2013, she has helped KBE cement its reputation for on-time and on-budget projects across several markets, especially retail and federal.
Harris Teeter, Southeast DC
In keeping with KBE’s tradition of retail excellence, the firm served as General Contractor for the $4.5-million, 48,713-square-foot interior build-out of the grocery store at 1212 4th Street SE. Schrader will introduce KBE and discuss the firm’s retail success, including Harris Teeter, during the Baltimore Bisnow Retail breakfast on Nov. 20.
Joint Commissary and Exchange, Annapolis, MD
KBE served as General Contractor for this $27 million renovation and addition encompassing nearly 160,000 square feet, completed in June 2014. This project is KBE’s second with the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA); the firm also built the Groton (New London) Commissary in Connecticut and is hard at work on the $2.5-million renovation to the Navy Exchange in Memphis, Tennessee.
Helping to build a stronger community
In addition to building commissaries and exchanges, KBE demonstrated its support for the military through its participation in the 2014 MD Operation Hire initiative. Veterans are also one of the primary beneficiary groups of KBE’s corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make a Difference.
Established in 2009 to celebrate the firm’s new ownership, name change, and 50 years in business, 50 Ways has helped KBE associates donate more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to charitable causes benefiting children, seniors, and military veterans in Connecticut and Maryland.
“Since we opened our Maryland office in 2009, we’ve wanted our Mid-Atlantic staff members to have just as many volunteer opportunities as our staff in the Northeast,” said KBE principal owner and CEO Mike Kolakowski.
“It’s been great seeing Kristen participate actively within 50 Ways while also increasing our Maryland staff’s commitment to our core company values: dedication, innovation, integrity, and pride.”
KBE’s charitable efforts in Maryland include donations to the Bea Gaddy Family Center, which provides food for needy families in the Baltimore-Washington area, and The Baltimore Station, which helps veterans and others break the cycle of poverty to achieve self-sufficiency.
A photograph of Kristen Schrader is available below. Credit: KBE Building Corp.
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Caption: Kristen Schrader, KBE Building Corp.’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Business Development Manager
About KBE Building Corporation
Regionally located in Farmington, Conn., and Columbia, Md., KBE Building Corporation is a full-service, single-source commercial construction company strategically positioned to serve the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1966, the firm is celebrating its 55th year providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the educational, senior living, federal, corporate, hospitality, health care, institutional, and retail markets. KBE has managed more than $2.5 billion in construction volume over the last decade and is ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine’s top 400 construction companies nationally.
Media Contact: Jonelle Lawhorn | KBE Director of Marketing
t: 860.284.7431| c: 860.836.7517 | f: 860.284.7831 | e: jlawhorn@kbebuilding.com